Diving for Pearls

And the winners are....

Thanks again to everyone who commented on the 500th post, or by email or Facebook. I have sent £65 to Children in Need, whose total this year has reached £20.3 million. I promised to send 20 of you some maz-made mailart....because it gives me an excuse to make things and of course I'm really looking for more things to do at this time of year, LOL!

So I printed of all the comments and used the Random Number Generator to draw 20 names 'from the hat'. And they are....

1.Elanor

2.Kristi Duncan

3.Rachael

4.Amanda

5.Bobs

6.Spread Your Wings

7. Rachel

8.Robyn Beresford

9. Becky

10.Anne Newell

11.Zoe

12.Ailsa

13.Elizabeth Harper

14.Carol Evans

15.Natalie

16.Bekka

17.Brij

18.MikeandNicki

19.From the Pines

20.Kate i

Some of you I know, and many I don't. Well, only 'virtually'. So please send me your address if you'd like to receive something (mazhawes@hotmail.co.uk) and as soon as I can- no rash promises here, I'll get something off to you. (I will try and contact you by email too incase you don't get round to reading this post.....)

So this week I've been busy dog sitting. Two little beauties; no 1, Rosie.

Half Yorkie, half Jack Russell, half Chihuahua and more than half human, she's a big character in little body. Loves her cuddles, has a supermodel's attitude to food, and love to hang on to Miller's furry underbelly byher teeth. (Sorry I didn't get a photo of this...)

And then, just when Miller thought he was safe, Tallulah arrived.

All long legs and Lurcher charm, she stole my heart with those eyes, pouring her velvety body over mine like treacle. She chewed a lot of cardboard and slept a lot.

 

As she nibbled my toes I have been photo editing like a mad woman and hope to have a few to show soon.

TaTaForNow!

x

Guitar Girl...

With a shoot planned for Sunday, which turned out to be, as predicted, another meteorological maelstrom of isobars and precipitation, hail included, I had to break out the lights, clear away the furniture and step outside my comfort zone into the studio. Pics from the shoot of 4 gorgeous teenagers/ young adults to come soon- but meanwhile, a few shots of Sophie who has been below par for a couple of weeks, as the pale skin and shadows under the eyes will testify, but she rallied temporarily to help me get my act together. She is fast becoming my ace assistant, style advisor  and guinea pig all rolled into one. 

And can I say a huge thanks to everyone who has commented on the 500th blog post- or tried to! I've had a dozen or so emails and facebook messages saying that some of you had have difficulty in posting- there seems to be an intermittent problem with Typepad which I can't fathom. But anyway, if you did, or tried to post, thank you so much. i am trying to get round all of you to thank you personally but it may take a little while! I will keep the comments open until the end of the week and will then do a draw for 20 names to receive a little something from me. And of course a cheque to Children in Need, which so far has raised oer £20 million- staggering.

Fantastic 500!

Hey! Today is the occasion of my 500th blog post on Diving for Pearls. I am proud. I am happy. I am a little dizzy at my staying power. (Not always my strong point).

 

And I would like to thank everyone who follows me, reads me, lurks, stalks, whatever. *I love you all* as the late, great Jacko would say. I would love to thank you in a 'real' way! Leave me a comment at the end of this post and just say hi...or whatever... for a chance to receive something very special in the post. (Post Office strikes notwithstanding...) I am putting together a lovely batch of very special Mail Art which I am happy to send off to any corner of the earth. Let's say, maybe 20 lucky readers (if I get that many comments- I have no idea!) will get something stitched, glued, painted and personalised straight from my home to yours. 

AND

for every comment I get, I will send a £1 donation to Children in Need!

If you haven't commented before, please do- it's easy! I have a deep seated need to know I'm loved. And as I say, I'd love to have the chance to thank you properly for visiting Diving for Pearls.

Bring me Sunshine...

I've photog'd this little man once before- or twice- or more.... but this was an Official Assignment! We had a blast. Oh my, children and animals, it's true! Plus rain on my lens and chicken poo on my jeans... but it was worth it. Do you agree?

I remember when I could bounce like this, without having to cross my legs. Joy!

 

Don't be deceived- there is no cuteness here. Honestly!

He tried to run me over with a tractor- hysterical!

You'll understand why I had chicken poo on me... these low angle shots are fraught with danger- rampant tractors and all.

 

 

OK, I admit, the cuteness is never very far beneath the surface...

Gah! So handsome...

He's a lucky boy, living on a farm, and I'm a lucky photographer getting to play in the barns and fields. This is not a great one of Thomas, but I only had a second before he shot off, and I nearly expired when I saw that car... I want it! A 20 year old Citroen deux cheveux complete with rust and stripey roof... it's love...

And just to show me he's a proper builder/farmer/boss man, he has the hard hat to prove it.

And when the day is nearly over and the photog says 'I'm done'- what better way to celebrate than by taking off your pants and doing a little dance?

Remind you of anyone?

 

Eric and Ernie- watch this and brighten up your day...

Tick Tock

How can it be mid November already? I blinked, and the russet mosaic of autumn has turned into the greys and browns of not-quite-winter. I have been missing in action as far as blogging goes- hardware issues; my own body and my 'old' macbook struggling with the demands being placed on them. All well now though, with a few replacement bits and pieces (!) so back in the blogging saddle. Much to catch up on over the next few days.

A Dream Job?

Capturing hilarity and humiliation in equal measure, meeting lovely people, and a chance to get on down to the disco beat whilst wielding several hundred pounds of camera and lighting equipment- I think I have found my perfect job! Brij (on the left!) and I in our element at Richard and Laura's wedding, before the clientele arrived...

But they came, in their hordes, bemused and bewildered when we suggested that we might like to try performing their favourite party trick for our camera's benefit. But perform they did...

 

...and we laughed...

 

...and  laughed, especially when Richard split his trousers...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All in all, FlashBangPhotoBooth's second outing was a roaring success!

Phew, busy weekend. Let's get cracking!

Here's a family that are stretched across the world, together again at last, for a short time. Corinne and Tim visiting Chepstow from Oz and being treated to a week long family hug. It was fun shooting you guys!

 

Once we'd worked out how to stop the couch sinking into the turf, we were away....

I know how much this girl misses her folks, and it was a joy to see them together...

 

Doesn't this make you melt?

 

 

 

But enough of the red couch already, let's get some action!

It's nearly a year since my last big shoot with Dot 'n Ollie...

And guess who got a damp bum to get this shot?

And finally- how many Burtons can you get in a mini?!

And tomorrow.... some more FlashBangPhotoBooth madness!

Grandma's Kitchen

A place to bake, and chat, and feel the warmth.

To take surreptitious swipes from the bowl. 

 And know that nobody will mind.

 

Engaged!

My very special friend Sue and her man joined us down at Hoggin the Bridge on Sunday and when they announced their wonderful news we turned an afternoon dog walk into an impromptu engagement shoot, at my request! Young love makes good photos, oui?

My fave (above)...Sue's fave below right....

 

Tell me those aren't natural smiles!

 

 

 

Aw! get a room guys!

This was such fun to do. I got very excited when I saw the flare potential...

...and just look at that huge ring!

Eclipse- Forest of Dean Rock Covers Band extraordinaire-

My fave rock band were there at Hoggin' the Bridge too. They just get better and better!

 

Look, me again!

And another serious fan, Nicky... (and little Leon, though you can't quite see him, he's there)

 

The band seem to attract fans of all shapes and sizes- how cute is this one! Leather biker jacket and all...

And my heart's desire, seeing my man looking mean and menacing (he's a pussycat really...)

 

 

(This last inspired by my new friend Paul who I met on Saturday- thanks Paul!)